Deep Dive Into IAM

Understanding permissions and access control in AWS

Learning Outcome

5

Learn what Cloud Shell is and why it is useful

4

Understand Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

3

Learn how permissions work in IAM

2

Know the difference between inline and managed policies

1

Understand what IAM policies are

Earlier, we learned that

 

  • IAM controls who can access AWS
     

  • Users, groups, and roles manage access
     

  • Security improves when access is controlled
     

Policies and permissions are the rules behind all this control.

 

Movie Theater Analogy

All visitors must buy a ticket and can sit only in allowed seating areas

Visitors cannot enter staff-only rooms like the control or projection room

Theater staff have special permission to access restricted areas to do their jobs

Understanding the IAM Policies in AWS 

IAM policies work the same way in AWS—they define what actions are allowed for users and which actions are restricted, just like theater rules control who can go where.

IAM: Policies

IAM policies are rules that decide what actions are allowed or not allowed in AWS

They clearly define what a user can do and what they cannot do.

 Example (Movie Theater)

Visitors can watch movies and sit in their seats

They are not allowed to enter the projection room

In the same way, IAM policies allow certain actions in AWS and block restricted ones

Types of Policies

 Inline Policies

An inline policy is a special rule created for

one specific user or role only.

It is not shared with anyone else.

 Managed Policy

A managed policy is a reusable set of permissions applied to users or groups.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC is an access control model where permissions are tied to roles, and users (or entities like IAM users, groups, or roles) are assigned to those roles.

Access = Based on predefined roles and policies.

 Example : RBAC AWS in action 

How RBAC Works 

Create IAM Roles
(e.g. S3ReadOnly,EC2AdminRole)

Attach Permission to Roles

Permissions are defined using IAM policies

Assign Role to Users

Why RBAC Is Useful

Simplifies access management

Permissions are assigned to roles once,

instead of to each person separately.

Reduces mistakes

Users automatically get correct access based on their role, lowering the chance of wrong permissions.

Keeps permissions consistent

Everyone in the same role follows the same access rules.

Cloud Shell

What is Cloud Shell ?

Cloud Shell is a built-in tool in AWS that

lets you manage AWS services by typing    simple commands directly in your browser.

Features

Ready To Use 

Free With Limits

Work Like a regular Linux 

Adjustable Settings

Persistent storage

Create User Using Cloud Shell

Why Policies Matter 

Control Access

Policies decide exactly what a user can and cannot do.

Prevent over-permission

Users get only the access they need, nothing extra

Reduce mistakes

Limiting access lowers the chance of accidental changes

Improve security

Sensitive resources

stay protected

Summary

5

Cloud Shell helps manage AWS easily

4

RBAC assigns access based on job role

3

Managed policies are reusable

2

Inline policies are for one user or role

1

Policies define allowed action

Quiz

RBAC gives access based on

A. User name

B. Location

C. Job role

D. Time

Quiz-Answer

A. User name

B. Location

C. Job role

D. Time

RBAC gives access based on

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